Improving civil enforcement processes for financial sanctions

Between July and October 2025, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, sought views on proposed measures to enhance the effectiveness of its civil enforcement processes for financial sanctions and the Oil Price Cap. OFSI has considered the responses received and used them to refine the proposals and to inform how they should be implemented within OFSI’s revised enforcement framework.

OFSI is now publishing its response to the consultation. This document summarises the feedback received and explains how the revised enforcement framework will operate. The changes are intended to enable quicker and more efficient investigation and resolution of potential breaches, reduce burdens on both OFSI and subject firms or individuals, and support improved delivery of enforcement outcomes. These changes apply only to OFSI’s civil enforcement powers.

All but one of the proposed changes will take effect when OFSI publishes its updated Enforcement and Monetary Penalties guidance in February 2026. Changes to OFSI’s statutory maximum penalties will be implemented via legislation when parliamentary time allows.